2017 Skoda Octavia Test Drive – Video

The exterior changes on the Octavia are focused on the front end, where the car gets revised ‘split’ headlights that are now closer to the latest family look pioneered by the Skoda Kodiaq, and a neater lower bumper section with crisp horizontal lines designed to emphasise the car’s width.

The UK engine line-up will extend to a pair of petrol units and two diesels. The petrols are that 1.0-litre turbo with 114bhp and a 1.4-litre turbo producing 148bhp, while the diesels are a 1.6 and a 2.0 offering the same respective power figures. The Scout and vRS editions of the car will get their own more powerful motors; these models aren’t due until later in the spring of next year, though.

The cabin brings a major overhaul to the Octavia’s infotainment system – again influenced by the technology that’s being introduced on the Kodiaq. All of the systems offered – Swing and Balero, and the navigation-equipped Amundsen and Columbus – get capacitive touchscreens.